The British government has granted £1.25 million to Northumbria University’s School of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics to establish Pakistan’s first large-scale facility that transforms agricultural waste into clean energy. The initiative, named “Safer Plus,” focuses on converting cotton stalks and sugarcane residue into biofuel.
Every year, millions of tonnes of these crop residues are burned in Punjab, significantly contributing to air pollution and the region’s notorious seasonal smog. This project aims to address these environmental challenges while simultaneously providing economic benefits to local communities.
In a significant development, the plant will produce bio-coal pellets through a heating technique called torrefaction. These pellets have the potential to replace imported coal used in brick kilns and textile mill boilers at costs 40-50% lower than current fuel expenses. Pakistan currently spends over $2.5 billion annually on coal imports to power its industries, while vast amounts of crop waste remain unused and are often burned.
Central to the project is a women-led biomass cooperative in Punjab, which will collect and supply the agricultural waste. Women in rural South Punjab typically spend three to six hours daily gathering fuelwood and frequently work without pay on family farms. Through this cooperative, more than 120 households near the plant will gain formal income by providing material that farmers currently pay to discard.
Notably, at least 60% of the training opportunities within the project are reserved for women, with payments made directly to their mobile wallets to ensure financial independence. This approach empowers women economically while promoting sustainable energy practices.
Three Pakistani textile manufacturers have already committed to trialing the bio-coal as a boiler fuel, marking a crucial step toward commercial adoption. Dr. Jibran Khaliq, one of the project leaders, emphasized that this initiative moves beyond laboratory research, representing a live commercial facility with industry partners ready to implement the technology.
He added, “We have spent six years developing the knowledge, and now we are building a live commercial facility with three textile mills already committed to using the fuel. This is the step that turns research findings into an investable, replicable business that Pakistan can own and scale.” This project not only promises environmental benefits but also fosters economic growth and gender empowerment in the region.
